This perceptive book provides, for the first time, an up-to-date comprehensive study of pharmaceuticals - one of the most profitable and dynamic industries in the world. The pharmaceutical industry's immense success is evident in its records of profitability and the flood of life-saving drugs it has produced. And yet the industry is in the midst of a major restructuring process involving multiple forms of specialization and growing internationalization. Government regulators and pharmaceutical firms both face severe challenges in dealing with these and other developments. None of these challenges will be greater than the need to improve consumer confidence in industrialized countries and better access to essential drugs in the developing world. Attention is given to the growing links between the multinationals and the many small and medium sized firms which operate along side them. The discussion takes into account conditions in both industrialised and developing countries and highlights important inter-relationships between R&D, production and marketing. The analysis is based on detailed information obtained by UNIDO statisticians on production, trade, investment, cost structure and other important features. To serve the study a database was constructed from the responses of national statistical offices in more than one hundred countries. The result is a body of empirical evidence which permits a much more comprehensive and detailed account of the industry than is usually available to readers. The book will be of great interest to government officials and representatives of special interest groups concerned with health care, public policy and policy related issues. It will be essential reading for corporate executives and managers in pharmaceutical companies. In addition, it will be an important reference tool for university economists and researchers with an interest in industrial economics.
Note
Prepared for the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO); Price : ; recd 14/12/92; Supplier : Ashgate Distribution Services Unit 3, Lower Farnham Road, Aldershot, Hants GU12 4DY England.
Bibliography, etc. Note
Includes bibliographical references (pages 259-262) and index.